What we have in place to safeguard tamariki and whānau we work with
At Open Home Foundation we believe that every child/tamaiti and young person/rangatahi should grow up in a secure, loving family/whānau and receive a depth of care which will bless them throughout their life.
To facilitate this goal, we have established policies and procedures to guide our work.
- Foster Parent Assessment and Approval: Our Foster Parents undergo a robust assessment of them and their household prior to being approved and providing care for tamariki. This assessment includes safety checks in line with the Vulnerable Children Act and looks at their skills and ability to provide safe, loving care for tamariki who have experienced trauma. Foster Parents are required to attend an initial training before providing care and ongoing training as needs are identified. Regular reviews are undertaken of all Foster Parents and their households.
- Child Protection: We have a child protection policy that outlines specifics around recognising abuse, preventing abuse, reporting and responding to abuse. All social workers are provided training in noticing signs of abuse.
- Supporting Tamariki in Care: All tamariki/rangatahi in out-of-home-care with Open Home Foundation will be visited at least once a month by their social workers. They will be given the opportunity to speak to their social worker alone and provided with other avenues of support and advocacy.
- Complaints Procedure: Open Home Foundation endeavors to provide the tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and foster parents we work with the highest level of support in every aspect of service delivery. All tamariki and whānau Open Home Foundation work with are provided with a copy of the complaints process. Open Home Foundation keeps a record of all complaints on a Complaints Register.
- Restraint Prevention and Minimisation: Open Home Foundation is a non-restraint organisation and encourages the highest standards of safe practice for all individuals within our organisation. We provide Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Families training to all staff and foster parents.
- Allegations of Abuse: All allegations of abuse or neglect of a tamaiti or rangatahi must be taken seriously. Open Home Foundation has implemented a process that is overseen by a national advisor. If any allegations are made, this process includes reporting, securing immediate safety, planning, investigation and reporting back.
- National Care Standards and Related Matters Regulations 2018: Open Home Foundation has updated all policy and processes to ensure we meet the National Care Standards. We engage in regular monitoring and reporting with Aroturuki Tamariki – Independent Children’s Monitor.